It’s that time of the year again – National Parent Teacher Home Visits (PTHV) Week is just around the corner! This year, schools and districts around the nation will use September 18 – 23, 2023, to celebrate the power of collaboration between educators, families, and communities—each in their own special way. They will conduct home visits, offer recognition, share with families and community leaders the power of home visits, bring principals and superintendents on home visits, and share success stories with local media. Families and community leaders can promote their desire for a home visit practice, and they can advocate before their school board to start or expand home visits in their schools. 

Look to PTHV Week 2022 for Inspiration 

Last year’s National PTHV Week was an astounding success, bringing together schools, families, and communities from across the nation to champion the importance of strong partnerships between parents and teachers. A total of 414 educators from 109 schools participated in the very first PTHV Week, which ran in tandem with our 25^th anniversary celebration. The week was marked by heartwarming stories, impactful conversations, and shared commitments to fostering positive learning environments for students.  

Here are just a few of the many highlights from the 2022 PTHV Week: 

Engaging Workshops: Our online orientation sessions covered a wide range of topics, introducing teachers and leaders to the new annual observance. Led by experts in education and family engagement, these sessions empowered educators with valuable tools to support home visits for student success. We’ve created a special playlist on YouTube. Be sure to check out Session 2 for tips on promoting PTHV Week in your local community and for an in-depth look at how to evaluate your efforts. Session 3 is not to be missed because PTHV coordinators from Denver Public Schools and Washoe County School District shared details of how they planned to mark the week. 

Personal Stories of Connection: Teachers and parents shared touching stories about the transformative effects of home visits. These stories underscored the immense impact of building trusting relationships between educators and families, leading to improved student attendance, academic achievements, and overall well-being. 

Community Involvement: PTHV Week is a community-wide effort. We encouraged families and local community leaders to walk alongside schools to promote the power of home visits through materials like flyers, banners, and social media posts. In addition, we offered a set of tools to help everyone ask school leaders to start or expand a home visit practice. The PTHV Week website also hosts a treasure trove of resources. From printable materials to how-to guides and more, the toolbox continues to serve as a valuable reference for strengthening the home-school connection throughout the year. 

Get Ready for PTHV Week 2023 

All of the resources from 2022 are updated and available to help districts make the most of PTHV Week 2023. Start at this page to sign up and begin planning your week. And here’s a quick-start plan to get moving. The National Office is available to help you organize your celebration, including how to: 

• • • Accelerate home visits
    • Recognize all teachers for taking the first step
    • Plan mini-conferences and community partnerships
    • Advocate with your principal, school board, or superintendent
    • Share your stories

Consult with our Program Manager

If you’re enthusiastic about participating in National PTHV Week but aren’t sure where to start, our Program Manager Heather Kilgore is here to help! Schedule a one-on-one consultation to receive guidance and support in planning your PTHV Week activities.  

Thank a Teacher 

However you wish to participate, one simple action for everyone is to extend gratitude to educators who conduct a home visit.  This single act of kindness lets teachers know that you recognize the profound impact their visits have on students and their families. This personal connection builds trust and open communication between teachers, students, and families, creating a collaborative educational environment that enhances student success. Here’s a quick guide from which you can copy and paste to share with the home-visiting educators in your school community. 

National Parent Teacher Home Visits Week is a celebration of the remarkable impact that strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and communities can have on student success. Join us next month as we embark on a week filled with meaningful connections and shared commitments to nurturing the potential of every learner. 

P.S. Stay updated by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and TwitterX using the hashtag #PTHVWeek.